Citizens Defend New York Libraries

CNN PRODUCER NOTELia Ocampo saw these protesters holding signs outside the flagship New York Public Library in New York, New York on July 3. The protesters say the expansion of the 42nd Street and Fifth Avenue location will hurt the borough branch buildings, including one in Ocampo's Queens, New York.
- jccarp, CNN iReport producer

‘Citizens Defending Libraries’ is fighting back to help defend New York libraries.

They are shouting:“Save our Public Libraries.”“Don’t Sell or Shrink the Brooklyn Heights or Pacific Street Branches.”

According to them, “there are plans underway to shrink and sell off New York libraries. Other cuts are planned but have not been disclosed.”

*Brooklyn Heights Branch: sell the city owned building and land to private developers, and replace it with facility fraction of its size. No Children’s reading room. No Business Library;"*The historic Pacific Branch Carnegie Library on 4th Avenue in Brooklyn: sell the building and land to private developers;*Science, Business and Industry branch, 34th Street Manhattan close and sell property to private developers ;*Main Branch, 42nd Street has just removed hundreds of thousands of research books to a warehouse in New Jersey;*Mid-Manhattan Library, 40th St and 5th Ave: close and sell building to private developer;*The Donnell Library, 53th St. was sold and is being replaced by luxury high rise, with plans for new library space placed underground and shrunk to 1/3 its size. But 5 years later: still no library at all;*Libraries will be closed for years, and children miss out on precious opportunities for education and wonder."

‘Citizens defending libraries’ encourages more citizens and supporters to sign the online petition, and call or email their elected representatives and let them know that libraries and other community services should not be for sale.

For our international users, please be aware that the information you submit when registering for our services is collected in the United States of America. In addition to being subject to our Privacy Policy, the collection, storage, and use of your data will be subject to U.S. laws and regulations, which may be different from the laws and regulations of your home country. By registering for this service, you are consenting to this collection, storage, and use.

Create your screen name

Please create a screen name. This screen name will be associated with your
iReport stories and comments on this site.
It cannot be changed once you make a selection.